Daniel Wilson Reviews The HULC Exoskeleton
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Thursday, 12 of November , 2009 at 2:06 am
Author (and screenwriter) and robot professional Daniel Wilson got a chance to test out the HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) exoskeleton while filming a show for the History Channel. He wrote an article about the experience for Gizmodo, a few bits of which I’ve excerpted here for you:
My first impression: The straps are too big. The HULC was built with military money and it is designed to fit army guys. And soldiers have big thighs, apparently. I yank the Velcro straps as tight as possible, then strap my shoes into its open-toed boots. I shrug on the backpack and clasp the chest strap. I am now wearing an exoskeleton. Turned off, the device is heavy; it’s like wearing a scuba tank on dry land. But once the researchers switch it on, HULC stands up on its own, with me inside.
Like a video game that breaks the human face down into just a few polygons, my new exo-walk consists of just a few gross movements. Knee lift, foot out, foot down. Repeat. It lacks the fluidity of my normal walk, but I don’t fall. And oh yeah, every movement is accompanied by the loud whine of electric motors. Each step sounds like reeee (that’s the motor) followed by ker-thump, as my foot touches down.
After the practice run, it’s time to hit the hallway. I immediately notice that my gait is becoming more fluid. I can even balance on one leg. This is because the machine is learning to anticipate my every move. The HULC is no dumb brute. It is constantly sensing the force of my movements and forming a model of how I walk. It’s getting to know me, exoskeleton-style.
Read the whole thing over at Gizmodo.
Comments (1)
Category: Cybernetics, Military
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Comment by BD-R
Made Thursday, 4 of March , 2010 at 2:52 am
Incredible! I wonder what sort of possibilities these design offer to scuba divers, or anyone who works underwater – for sure it makes work extremely easier for them now that they have machines to aid their minimal movements.